Farmers sentenced over animal cruelty in Staffordshire

Animals were kept in unsuitable pens with little food or water, Staffordshire County Council said

Two farmers have been sentenced for breaching animal welfare regulations after trading standards officers said calves were found in poor conditions with little food and water.

Charles Gibson, 51, and Alison Bailey, 44, from Biddulph Moor appeared at Telford Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.

They had previously admitted multiple animal welfare offences.

Wheelton Farms Ltd appeared alongside them and was fined for breaching cattle movement and identification rules.

They were prosecuted by Staffordshire County Council's Trading Standards Animal Health team.

The local authority said it was a "particularly upsetting case" and that the animals were seized to prevent further suffering.

In May 2020, it said, livestock, including young calves were found at a farm run by Gibson and Bailey, being kept in extremely poor conditions. A number of animals were also discovered dead in pens alongside live ones.

The council said low-value untagged calves at the farm had been given to Gibson, and made Wheelton Farms Ltd complicit in the failure to comply with the traceability requirements for bovine animals.

The firm, represented by director Martin Wheelton, 55, of Millend Farm, Harbour Lane, Macclesfield, pleaded guilty to cattle identification and movement offences.

Lifetime ban

At Tuesday's sentencing, Gibson, of Leonards Farm, was given a 20-week jail sentence, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to do 200 hours unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay costs of £4,000, plus victim surcharge of £128, and handed a lifetime ban from keeping all animals.

Bailey was given a community order with 80 hours unpaid work, ordered to pay £1,000 costs and a victim surcharge of £90, as well as lifetime ban from keeping all animals.

Wheelton Farms Ltd received fines totalling £32,000 and was ordered to pay £7,450 in costs.

Councillor Victoria Wilson, from Staffordshire County Council said: "This is a particularly upsetting case involving a number of vulnerable, newborn animals where their basic needs for care and identification were not met.

"Thankfully, the vast majority of Staffordshire farmers and livestock owners take good care of their animals and follow the rules.

"We are pleased that the court has reached a successful conclusion, this case should send out a clear message that we will take action to ensure the welfare needs of animals are provided for and livestock identification and movement rules are adhered to.